Palæozoic, a. Geol.
(ˌpæliːəʊˈzəʊɪk, ˌpeɪliː-)
Also paleo-.
[f. palæo-, paleo- + Gr. ζωή life, ζω-ός living + -ic.]
1. Characterized by, containing, or pertaining to ancient forms of life. As introduced by Sedgwick, in 1838, it was applied to the Cambrian and Silurian strata; as extended by Phillips, 1841, it comprises all the fossiliferous strata up to the Permian, the higher strata being mesozoic and cainozoic.
| 1838 Sedgwick in Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. II. 685 Class II or Palæozoic Series. This includes all the groups of formations between Class I [Primary stratified rocks called by Sedgwick Protozoic] and the Old Red Sandstone, and subdivided as follows: 1 Lower Cambrian; 2 Upper Cambrian; 3 Silurian System. 1840 Phillips in Penny Cycl. XVI. 489/2 We include in the term ‘Palæozoic’, all the generally argillaceous and arenaceous strata between the mica schist and the old red-sandstone. Ibid. XVII. 154/1 The term Palæozoic may be retained, though it should be found that the application of it ought to be extended so as to include the carboniferous rocks or even the magnesian limestone. This indeed is not unlikely. 1841 Phillips Palæozoic Fossils Devon 160, I have suggested the..proposed titles; Cainozoic Strata..Mesozoic Strata..Palæozoic Strata: Upper = Magnesian Limestone formation, Carboniferous System; Middle = (Eifel and South Devon); Lower = Transition Strata; Primary Strata. 1856 Darwin in Life & Lett. (1887) II. 80 Not a fragment of secondary or palæozoic rock has been found. 1880 Haughton Phys. Geog. iii. 78 During the Upper Palæozoic age, extensive land surfaces were in existence. |
2. fig. and transf. Belonging to the most ancient, or to the lowest, stage.
| 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) I. i. 36 How far back man is to be looked for in the palaeozoic chronicles of former life. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 117 Uncle Z. was a good specimen of that palæozoic class, extinct.., or surviving, like the Dodo, in the Botany Bays of Society. 1869 Farrar Fam. Speech iv. (1873) 115 A large number of them belong to the lowest, palæozoic strata of humanity. 1889 Jacobs Aesop 54 [In] the Jātakas, we..come upon a really Palæozoic stratum of the Bidpai Fables. |
B. n. (pl.) ellipt. Palæozoic rocks or strata.
| 1865 Phillips in Intell. Observ. No. 40. 283 Below the Palæozoics. |